Highlights of the Latest Update
Game Flow Improvements
- Progression loops have been refined to introduce abilities more effectively, providing players with safer, more engaging ways to practice before broader implementation.
- The Dash ability is now obtained very early in the game as the first upgrade, making movement more dynamic and engaging from the start.
- Navigation has been enhanced by reducing "dead space" and making routes more intuitive, guiding players naturally through the world.
- More visually distinct areas have been introduced to make navigation and orientation easier.
Polish and Feedback Integration
- Platforming, combat feedback, and overall game feel have been extensively improved based on community input.
- Colliders for hazards like lava and moving platforms have been adjusted to feel kinder and more natural.
- Player feedback, such as hit reactions and health indicators, has been improved for better clarity and responsiveness.
Combat Depth Enhancements
- Introduced a healing system: players can now collect mana by defeating enemies and use it to heal.
- Added combat-related collectibles, such as damage upgrades, to strengthen the hero’s abilities.
- Improved feedback for both enemies and the player during combat encounters.
- Introduced stronger and more diverse enemy types for greater combat variety and challenge.
Reworked Map System
- The map now displays the full world without abstraction and is revealed portion by portion, helping players track areas they have explored.
- Clearer game boundaries and map limits are displayed for better navigation.
- Players can zoom, rotate, and translate the map, making it a more interactive and practical exploration tool.
Gameplay and Level Design
Save Points
- Added save points or Shortcuts near critical encounters, like the Golem boss.
- Removed redundant save points to streamline game flow.
- Improved interconnectivity in the world for more rewarding exploration.
Platforming Challenges
- Reduced early-game platforming lethality by softening penalties for falls and hazards.
- Added visual hints and collectibles to guide players through complex areas.
Exploration and Navigation
- Introduced more visually distinct areas to make routes and landmarks easier to identify.
- Enhanced map navigation by allowing translation, rotation, and zoom tied to camera sensitivity settings.
- Improved map clarity to prevent players from getting lost or stuck in dead ends.
Combat and Enemies
Healing and Collectibles
- Killing enemies now grants mana, which can be used to heal the hero.
- Introduced combat-related collectibles, such as damage upgrades, to enhance player abilities.
Feedback and Immersion
- Improved visual and audio feedback for both player and enemies, making combat more responsive and engaging.
- Enhanced hit reactions, health indicators, and clarity of enemy resistances.
Enemy Design and Boss Fights
- Added new, stronger enemy types to diversify combat.
- Fixed bugs with bosses like the Golem to ensure fair and challenging encounters.
- Improved save points and shortcuts near boss fights to reduce frustration.
Lore System
- Players can now reread collected lore entries directly from the menu, enriching the storytelling and exploration experience (work in progress).
Art and Visual Design
Lighting and Colors
- Adjusted colors to improve hazard visibility (e.g., black water near bosses, green waterfalls).
- Added visual and audio cues for dangerous elements like light beams and enemy projectiles.
Audio
- New musics.
- Longer, more varied reworked music
- Better audio for invincible enmies.
Menus and Settings
We're working hard on this right now, expect a major evolution on this aspect in the near future
Language and Localization
- Fixed issues where the game defaulted to French, ensuring it respects Steam language settings.
Polish
- Redesigned the controls menu for better usability.
- Allowed players to exit the map using the "Back" (B) button for smoother navigation.
Bug Fixes
Collision and Movement
- Fixed checkpoint clipping issues, preventing players from spawning into death planes.
- Resolved movement bugs where players could unintentionally skip areas (e.g., jumping on water).
Miscellaneous
- Corrected lore messages to better align with the game’s tone and provide clear upgrade instructions.
- Fixed visual issues like enemies clipping into terrain and overly large text displays.